2021 Boarding Parents thread

[soonishsoonish]

I don’t think There’s a thread yet and after following the thread for 2020 parents I thought it might be good to have one for 2021 boarding parent.
My eldest DS13 will full board in senior school from Sept. His school is full boarding, pretest in year 6 but we’ve only now received all final documentation and forms to fill etc, it all seems real now. Any one in a similar position? DS is very excited, not sure how I feel just yet though lol

Hi OP

Now that the DC are back to school, and it's nice and sunny out, my mind wonders to the stocking up for DS who is also starting his boarding this September. My DS will also be full boarding this year (in a boys).

I am looking at previous threads too for ideas.

I was wondering if it's appropriate to get fairy lights for a boy who is sharing. He has some lovely ones around a picture board in his room and it brings a nice ambience. Even if he was not sharing, I have not seen these in boys rooms, though I have seen plenty for girls. I don't think he cares one way currently as it's really my idea. Can he put up pics of family and friends, or just a small photo album will do just fine.

Here is last year's thread :
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/3982957-A-thread-for-boarding-school-parents-2020

Hey @Mummy194

I think most rooms will have a picture board where he can pin photo for his family, pet etc so that should be fine. Re the fairy light, yes it is very common amongst female boarders however if he wants one, I'll let me take one. He can always take it down if he changes his mind.

RE fairy lights check that they are allowed - some boarding houses count them as a fire hazard, others say no lights (except maybe a nightlight) on in a shared dormitory after lights out. Other than that, if he wants them let him have them, he doesn't have to keep them up if he doesn't like them.

The boys rarely seem to put anything up in their dorms from what I have seen at any schools.

Thanks for the answers.

I think I just had it in mind as I was making the list. It falls under the plugs, chargers, earphones / electronics. Thanks for bringing up the fire hazard issue. I will have a HM meeting soon, so worth asking these questions - though I am waiting for a list from the school.

How are you feeling now OP regarding your DS eminent departure?

I’m not sure about fairy lights. Boys, especially the boarders who have been to a boarding prep school, can be harsh and unforgiving. You don’t want your son getting off on the wrong foot. My DS is Third Form/Year 9 equivalent in a boarding school. He has taken the bare minimum. I’ll ask him what he thinks about fairy lights in the dorm.

Have video called DS and asked this question. He looked horrified momentarily and then laughed and said it was a great idea.

So that’s a no.

Mum of existing full boarder and another one to start this sept. Over older DS’ boys would anything like fairy lights be going back with him. Older ds has zero decoration around his bed. He does like to sneak a mattress topper in if he can get it past Matron (requires fire retardant stickers ...)
Full boarding boys tend to sport crap haircuts, crap clothes and a little money for tuck top ups.

have to say i agree with Velveteen and Left re the fairy lights - didn't want to stick my neck out and be the first to say it! can we please not talk about the crap haircuts tho, too painful..

Definitely no fairy lights. Mattress topper - definitely. Favourite pillow - yes. A few photos - if you must. A crate of tuck - essential.
Also the tattiest clothes they possess and crocs are back “in”

Quite agree. Don’t mention the hair. We queued up for three hours for the barber last week - three hours. And just as we got to the front of the queue I had to go and move the car to a different parking space and when I came back DS had gone from Hugh Grant in Four Weddings to Rowan Atkinson in the first Blackadder series. I have sent DS off with hair gel to spike it up but I doubt he’s using it.

Our boys seem to really enjoy coloured LED strips run round the walls at the moment - every room is different and the boarding house looks like a christmas tree! The next door house doesn't have any coloured lights though so it must not be universally enjoyed...

Dd boarded, the girls rooms were decorated with photos, fairy lights, posters and soft toys, the boys rooms looked like prison, not helped by them bring plain duvet covers (DD's had teddy bears on). I would gauge from the existing rooms if you can visit. The boys also seemed to bring a lot less stuff- many of the girls brought can loads whereas some boys came by train!

The hair is also completely horrific. There seems to be a real thing at the moment for shaved sides, short on top, and a mullet. Even boys with normal-ish hair have started parting in the middle like Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys. I told one boy that DH had curtains like Leo di caprio in titanic when I met him and he looked horrified!

Yes yes to mullets . I have a photo of DS in ripped jeans (not bought like that) held up with a piece of string. He looked like Compo from Last of the Summer Wine. On the flip side, Supreme is a favoured brand. Not in our house, that’s for sure.

@Mummy194

Thanks for the answers.

I think I just had it in mind as I was making the list. It falls under the plugs, chargers, earphones / electronics. Thanks for bringing up the fire hazard issue. I will have a HM meeting soon, so worth asking these questions - though I am waiting for a list from the school.

How are you feeling now OP regarding your DS eminent departure?

DS1 is very excited! I'm not sure what he thinks will happen but last weekend he asked if he could have a netflix account hahahaha. I think reality will set in when we start buying stuff and doing proper packing. We are waiting till the summer to do that.

DS2 is also getting ready for the pretest later this year and I am not sure if talking too much about it is pressurising for him or not.

Has the school sent you a final list?

Oh @soonishsoonish

I think DS would love some Sky especially Sky Sport.

I am getting a few things together now, as I don't want to be caught out with shortages in the summer, I worry about pre-orders too, just in case.

A good thing he is excited though. DS1 was not that keen on the idea initially, but when he realised that DS2 is quite serious about boarding, he came on board. DS2 did his ISEB and interviews already and got offers we are happy with, we are still waiting for a couple more.

The scruffy clothes will suit DS to a tee. I can't believe there was a time when I used to kit out the DC in Caramel, Rachel Riley, Bonpoint, Petit Bateau etc. I was so proud when everyone would comment on how nicely put together they looked. Nowadays, it's a Primark track suit and trainers. Anything to feel comfortable

Will make sure he cuts his hair when he gets home to make sure all is well.

I did buy that Eve mattress topper which I hope meets the regulations.

I was very much trying to avoid the prison/ jail look. I have seen some posters before - footballers, I presume and some football club flags, I have also seen the family pic collages too.But I will pay more attention next time.

My ds1 is an established, happy full boarder at a traditional boys prep and I recommend a large digital clock and the piccollage plastic wallets. Our clock is a cheapy Amazon purchase and greatly coveted as its quite bright at night! Also consider a few non fiction and fiction paperbacks as the non fiction are good just to flick through. Finally I really recommend at least one magazine subscription-age dependent choices. A most definite no for fairy lights! Less is more in boys dorms I think.

We had to provide DD with a traditional tuck box last year - if you're going to need one it's probably worth keeping an eye on Ebay - we managed to pick one up for £30 (they're £80 + new)

Someone once got it to a tee on MN recently.
they said…
What DS took to school = food.
What DD took to school = entire contents of bedroom.

@soonishsoonish

I don't have a list yet. But I have some HM meetings coming up and not too sure what to ask , specifically, aside from the previous meetings before acceptance.

@Londonmummy66
I worry about the tuck box, not even sure what size it should be, some of the boys had bigger ones, others smaller. Also, the good price ones seem to run out quick. If I don't get from eBay, any other good price stockist you know?

I have splurged on a tuck box from the Winchester Tuck Box Company.
I feel v guilty that my son’s new school do not allow them to actually take tuck or be sent any tuck to school, so have overcompensated with the box.

Also rather unsportingly the school says no trunks just a large suitcase, which is a great shame because I have been keeping my own battered school/university trunk for him for years. I might forget I read that bit of the school instructions and just focus on the name tapes.

Happy to have found this thread as my eldest son will start boarding this sept (yr 9) and I have no experience of this myself! Lots of useful stuff! I haven't received any info yet from his school on what is required so following with interest!

Am just beginning to allow myself to get my head around this. DS will be boarding from September 2021 - going into Year 9. We will finally know where on Monday!! He will either be full boarding, or weekly - dependent on the school.

I am starting to really worry about it all. I am sure that he will cope well, not quite so sure about myself.